Eagles’ offense remains in neutral as season nears end

STEPHEN WHITFIELD

Published 7:00 pm, Monday, April 20, 2009

New Caney’s baseball team is getting ever closer to notching that first win in District 14-5A. Last Tuesday, the Eagles lost 1-0 at Conroe Oak Ridge, by far their closest game of the district season. And with the two teams going at it again last Monday, it is highly possible that New Caney may already have that elusive victory.

If that is not the case, though, then the Eagles are in a lot of trouble. Following Monday’s game, New Caney has just four dates remaining on the schedule against two opponents: Conroe and The Woodlands.

Last week’s game against Oak Ridge was the epitome of a pitcher’s duel. Jordan Harrison pitched a complete game in the losing effort, striking out nine batters while allowing only four hits and two walks.

“That game was just two outsanding pitching performances,” New Caney coach Donnie Randell said. “We had opportunities but we couldn’t capitalize on them. It’s been like this all year long.”

New Caney could not get anything going offensively. Early against Oak Ridge, the Eagles had two runners on with no one out and the three-four-five hitters due up. Still, they could not score a run. They also had a few opportunities to get runners home from second but did not do so.

Dwyane Snider was the only New Caney batter to register a hit. He went 1-3. Toby Stripling and Tommy Isaacks had three walks between them.

The Eagles entered district play as one of the best hitting teams in the Greater Houston area but have now scored just four runs in their last five games. Randell said his team let a poor offensive start get the best of it.

“It’s a combination of good pitching and hitting mistakes,” Randell said. “When district started, we faced a lot of teams’ best starters, and that sort of put us in a tailspin we haven’t been able to get out of. The pitching we’re facing now is a lot like what we saw in the tournaments, and we were able to hit that.”

With four games left, New Caney does not have a lot of time to get its offense back on track. Randell said he thinks the solution to the Eagles’ offensive woes is simple execution.

“It’s just a case of everybody executing their job in the order,” Randell said. “The leadoff guys have to get on base and the middle of the order guys have to drive them in. Everyone has a job to do and we need to focus on doing that. If we do, the rest will take care of itself.”